Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has called for upgrades in information technology and telecommunications sectors in a conference on December 25. — Photo ictnews.vn

HA NOI (Biz Hun)  — Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has called for Information Technology (IT) and telecommunications to be developed into Viet Nam's spearhead industries.

In an online conference that brought together the Ministry of Information and Communications and its agencies in Ha Noi, HCM City and Da Nang City on Thursday, he said the ministry should exert every effort to upgrade its IT applications in all areas including the postal sector.

The deputy PM also urged the ministry to create all possible conditions for IT and telecommunication enterprises to ensure equitable development of IT in all regions across the country.

"Basic postal and telecommunications services should be available in remote areas to meet public demand. Proper management of such services is needed to ensure public interest and citizens' rights and to get people to contribute to the sector," he said.

He also wanted the ministry to encourage the involvement of various economic sectors in the publishing industry and maintain a strong focus on quality.

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Commenting on the ministry's performance in 2014, the deputy PM said this year had witnessed strong reforms in the direction, management and production.

As many as 21 projects built and consulted by the MoIT were approved by the Government, the highest number so far, he noted.

He praised the ministry for speeding up the restructuring of enterprises operating in IT and Communications, especially the Viet Nam Post and Telecommunication Group (VNPT).

Minister Nguyen Bac Son submitted several proposals at the conference, including one on establishing information security and local information departments, saying they are crucial for guaranteeing cyber information security and popularisation at grassroots level.

He also requested that facilities and offices for the industry be improved, especially at district and provincial level.

Son also noted that the ministry is currently doing the IT tasks of the former Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment as well as information tasks of the former Ministry of Culture and Information. Yet the State Budget allocation is only for the culture sector as a whole. The minister suggested that an allocation be made for information and telecommunication as well.

He made the appeal at a Thursday online conference connecting the Ministry's agencies in, to review the ministry's performance in 2014 and set tasks for 2015. — VNS